BMW 323i 2000 Owner's Guide

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Driving:
Steering/Ignition lock61
Starting the engine61
Switching off the engine62
Parking brake63
Manual transmission64
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic65
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp
flasher68
Wiper/Washer system/Rain
sensor68
Rear window defroster70
Cruise control71
Everything under control:
Odometer73
Tachometer73
Energy Control73
Fuel gauge74
Temperature gauge74
Service Interval Display74
Check Control75
Clock75
Onboard computer76
Technology for safety and
convenience:
Park Distance Control (PDC)78
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)79
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)80Lamps:
Parking lamps/Headlamps82
Dash lighting82
High beams/Parking lamps83
Fog lamps83
Interior lamps83
Reading lamps84
Controlling the climate for
pleasant driving:
Automatic climate control86
Seat heating91
Roller sun blind91
Interior conveniences:
HiFi system92
Glove compartment92
Storage compartments93
Cellular phones95
Ashtray, front95
Cigarette lighter96
Ashtray, rear96
Loading and transporting:
Through-loading system97
Ski bag98
Cargo loading99
Roof-mounted luggage rack100

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Keys1 The master keys with remote control
determine the functions of the Key
Memory. Refer to page 53.
There is an extended-life battery
in every master key which is
charged automatically in the steering
lock as you drive.
For this reason, if you have a master
key that is otherwise not used, use that
key approximately once every year
while driving for an extended period.
This will charge the battery. Refer also
to page 35.<
2 Spare key for storage in a safe place,
such as in your wallet. This key is not
intended for continuous use. 463de023
3 Door and ignition key
The locks for the luggage compart-
ment lid and the glove compartment
cannot be operated with this key Ð
this is recommended for valet park-
ing, for instance.
Replacement keysReplacement keys are available exclu-
sively through your BMW center. Since
the keys belong to a security system
(refer to "Electronic vehicle immobilizer"
on page 33), your BMW center is obli-
gated to be sure that a person request-
ing a key is authorized to do so.
If possible, take all of the master
keys that belong to the vehicle
with you when you pick up your re-
placement key.
When you receive a new replacement
key, turn that key to position 2 in the
ignition lock once (ignition switched on)
and then back. This allows the elec-
tronic vehicle immobilizer to "learn" the
new key.<

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Electronic vehicle immobilizer The key to securityYour BMW is equipped with a passive
anti-theft system. This electronic immo-
bilization system is designed to reduce
the susceptibility of the vehicle to theft
by making it impossible to start the
engine using any means other than the
special keys furnished with the vehicle.
Your BMW center can cancel the elec-
tronic system authorization for individual
keys (in the event of loss, for instance). A
deactivated key can no longer be used
to start the engine.463de042
How the electronics workAt the heart of this system is an elec-
tronic chip that is integrated into the
key. The lock mechanism itself is actu-
ally a dual-function device, simulta-
neously serving as a communications
interface designed to allow the security
system to maintain a continuous stream
of variable, vehicle-specific signals with
the electronic circuitry in the key. The
system will not release the ignition, fuel
injection and starter unless it recog-
nizes an "authorized" key.
Force applied to the key can dam-
age the integrated electronic cir-
cuitry. A damaged key can no longer be
used to start the engine.<

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Central locking system Opening and closing Ð from outside The conceptThe central locking system is ready for
operation whenever the driver's door is
closed. The system engages and re-
leases the locks on the
>doors,
>luggage compartment lid and
>fuel filler door.
The central locking system can be
operated
>from outside via the door lock and
using the remote control
>from inside by pressing a button.
Activating it from inside does not lock
the fuel filler door (see page 38). When
the system is actuated from the out-
side, the antitheft system is activated
simultaneously. Both the door locks
and the safety lock buttons remain
locked. The alarm system
* is also
armed or disarmed.
If locked from the inside, the central
locking system unlocks automatically in
the event of an accident. In addition,
the hazard warning flashers and interior
lamps come on.
Using the keyOne turn of the key in the driver's door
lock unlocks the driver's door only.
Turning the key a second time unlocks
the passenger-side door, the luggage
compartment lid and the fuel filler door.
You can have a confirmation mes-
sage set to inform you that the car
has been properly locked.<
You will find additional information on
the alarm system
* on page 42.
460de006
Convenience operating modeYou can also operate the power win-
dows and sliding/tilt sunroof
* via the
door lock.
>To open: With the door closed, turn
the key to the "Unlock" position and
hold it.
>To close: With the door closed, turn
the key to the "Lock" position and
hold it.
Watch during the closing process
to be sure that no one is injured.
Releasing the key stops the opera-
tion.<
Manual operation (in the event of electrical malfunction)
Turn the key to the extreme left or right
to unlock/lock the door.

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Opening and closing Ð from outsideUsing the remote control The remote control makes opening and
locking the doors of your vehicle very
convenient. Furthermore, it provides
two additional functions that can only
be executed by means of the remote
control:
>Switch on the interior lamps
With this function, you can also
"search for" your car Ð when parked
in an underground garage, for in-
stance.
>Open the luggage compartment
The luggage compartment lid will
open slightly, regardless of whether
the lid was previously locked or un-
locked.
The anti-theft system is also deacti-
vated simultaneously when you unlock
the vehicle, the alarm system
* is dis-
armed, and the interior lamps are
turned on. When you lock the vehicle,
the systems are activated and armed,
and the lamps go off.
You can have a confirmation mes-
sage set to inform you that the car
has been properly locked.<
Master keysKeys with remote control are master
keys. Refer to page 32.
Children might be able to lock the
doors from the inside. For this rea-
son, always take the vehicle keys with
you so that the vehicle can be opened
again from the outside at any time.<460de494
Master keys that are used repeat-
edly are always ready for opera-
tion since the battery in the transmitter
is charged automatically in the steering
lock as you drive.
If it is no longer possible to unlock the
vehicle via the remote control, the bat-
tery is discharged. Use this key while
driving for an extended period in order
to charge the battery. Refer also to
page 32.
To prevent unauthorized use of the re-
mote control, surrender only the door
and ignition key or the spare key (refer
to page 32) when leaving the vehicle for
valet parking, for example.
In the event of a system malfunction,
please contact your BMW center.
You can also obtain replacement keys
there.<

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Opening and closing Ð from outsideTo unlock the carPress button 1 to unlock the driver's
door only.
Press the button twice in order to
unlock the entire vehicle. Convenience opening modePress and hold button 1. The power
windows and the sliding/tilt sunroof
*
are opened.
463de025
To lock and securePress button 2.463de027
To switch on the interior lampsAfter locking the car, press button 2
again.To switch off the tilt alarm
* and
interior motion sensor
*
Press button 2 again immediately after
locking.
For additional information: Refer to
page 43.463de027

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Opening and closing Ð from outsideTo open the luggage compartmentPress button 3.
The luggage compartment lid will open
slightly, regardless of whether the lid
was previously locked or unlocked.
Before and after a trip, be sure
that the luggage compartment lid
was not opened unintentionally.<463de026
Panic-Mode (trigger alarm)By pressing button 3 for two to five sec-
onds, the alarm
* can be sounded in the
event of danger, if it is armed.
Pressing button 1 will deactivate the
alarm.
The LED (light-emitting diode) lights up
briefly when the individual buttons are
pressed.
Non-BMW systemsThe proper functioning of the remote
control system may be affected by
other units or equipment operating in
the immediate vicinity of your car.
If this should this occur, you can still
open and close the vehicle using the
master key in both the door and lug-
gage compartment locks.
For US owners onlyThe transmitter and receiver units com-
ply with part 15 of the FCC (Federal
Communications Commission) regula-
tions. Operation is governed by the
following:
FCC ID: LX8EWS
LX8FZVS
LX8FZVE
Compliance statement:
This device complies with part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:
>This device may not cause harmful
interference, and
>this device must accept any interfer-
ence received, including interference
that may cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modifications or
changes to these devices could
void the user's authority to operate this
equipment.<

38n
Opening and closing Ð from inside Use this button to operate the central
locking system when the front doors
are closed. The doors and luggage
compartment lid are unlocked or locked
only. The antitheft alarm system is not
activated.
If only the driver's door was un-
locked from the outside and you
press the button
>all other doors, the luggage compart-
ment lid and the fuel filler door will be
unlocked when the driver's door is
opened.
>the driver's door will be locked again
when it is closed.<
If you desire, the central locking
system will secure the locks as
soon as you start to drive. This can be
adjusted to be key-specific.<460us007
To unlock and open the doors>Either unlock the doors together with
the button for the central locking sys-
tem and then pull each of the release
handles above the armrests
or
>pull the release handle for each door
twice: The first pull unlocks the door,
and the second one opens it.
Doors locked from outside can be
opened from inside by first press-
ing the button and then pulling a re-
lease handle twice.<
To engage the locks>Use the central locking button to lock
all doors at once
or
>press the individual safety lock but-
tons down. The fuel filler door then
remains unlocked. As an added
design feature to prevent the driver
from being inadvertently locked out
of the vehicle, the driver's door safety
lock button will not engage as long as
the door is open.
Children might be able to lock the
doors from the inside. For this rea-
son, always take the vehicle's keys with
you so that the vehicle can be opened
again from the outside at any time.<

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Luggage compartment lid The lockOnly the master key (refer to page 32)
fits in the lock of the luggage compart-
ment.460de008
To secure separatelyTurn the master key to the right past the
resistance point and then pull it out in
the horizontal position.
This locks the luggage compartment lid
and disconnects it from the central lock-
ing system. This feature can be used to
prevent unauthorized access to the lug-
gage compartment when you surrender
the door and ignition key (refer to
page 32) for valet parking, for instance.460de009
To open from outsidePress the button in the handle recess
(arrow):
The luggage compartment lid opens
slightly.
The luggage compartment is lit when
the luggage compartment lid is opened. Manual operation(in the event of electrical malfunction)
Turn the master key to the left to the
stop Ð the luggage compartment lid will
open slightly.
The luggage compartment is locked
again as soon as you close the lid.460de010

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Luggage compartment lidOpening from the insideIf the luggage compartment lid has not
been locked separately, you can open it
with this button in the footwell on the
driver's side when the vehicle is sta-
tionary.460de011
To closeThe handle recesses in the interior trim
panel of the luggage compartment lid
(arrows) make it easier to pull the lid
down.
To avoid injuries, be sure that the
travel path of the luggage com-
partment lid is clear when it is closed,
as with all closing procedures.<460de067
Operate the vehicle only when the
luggage compartment lid is com-
pletely closed. Otherwise, exhaust
fumes could penetrate the interior of
the vehicle. Should it be absolutely nec-
essary to operate the vehicle with the
luggage compartment lid open:
>Close all windows. Shut the sliding/
tilt sunroof
*.
>Increase the airflow of the automatic
climate control to a high level. Refer
to page 86.<